Relatives charged with sex assault

A 13-YEAR-OLD girl was raped and sexually abused by her uncle and grandfather over a number of years, a court was told.

The accused father and son, who cannot be named for legal reasons, sat silently in the public gallery of Bundaberg Magistrates Court yesterday as three witnesses were cross-examined during their committal hearing.

They were committed to stand trial in Bundaberg District Court on charges of rape and indecent treatment.

The court was told the girl filed a police complaint in November 2008 saying she had been sexually abused by her uncle and grandfather in Kingaroy and Bundaberg over a number of years.

The girl’s mother also gave evidence against her in-laws.

She said she first became concerned when the men were living with the family while looking for a house.

The court was told the mum walked into a room where the girl and her grandfather were seated on a couch.

The mother said she saw the grandfather’s hand move out from under the girl’s shirt near her breast.

She said the situation escalated when the mother of her daughter’s friend told her she had found notes passed between the two girls referring to a “secret”.

When the alleged victim’s parents pressed her on the nature of the secret, it is alleged the girl pointed to her dad and said: “Your brother and father have been sexually assaulting me.”

The girl’s father was also called to the stand but was too overcome with emotion to go further than giving his name.

The prosecution and defence had a short adjournment and agreed to allow the father to stand down.